DURHAM -- Five new schools in the Durham District School Board received ministry of education funding Monday.

“We’re really pleased we got the funding for these schools. Construction will start for most of them in September,” said David Visser, superintendent of education for facilities services.

Two of the four schools that will be built starting this September and open for use by September, 2009 are located in Ajax and two are located in Whitby.

A 535-pupil elementary school near Rossland and Westney Roads will be built for children living in the Meadows of Ajax housing development and a 556-student dual-track school for both English language and French Immersion students will be built for children living in a housing development near Taunton and Audley roads.

A 512-pupil elementary school will go up for students living in the Tormina Woodlands development near Taunton Road and Baldwin Street in Brooklin, while a 466-student school will be constructed near the Olde Winchester development at Winchester and Thickson roads in Brooklin.   

A fifth school, slated for construction starting in September, 2009 and to be open for students by September, 2010, will be located in the Lynde Shores area of south Whitby, south of Victoria Street and west of Gordon Street. Mr. Visser said the school will hold around 425 pupils.